Lakers-Knicks Trade: Lakers Officially Acquire Knicks $212 Million NBA Champion In a Blockbuster Trade

Let’s investigate this trade suggestion for the Knicks and Lakers.

The Lakers’ contract with LeBron James includes a no-trade clause.
James can refuse any transaction since his contract contains a no-trade clause. The notion that James would approve a transfer has been rejected by the legend’s agent, Rich Paul.

However, there is a compelling case to be made that James would have a better chance of winning his fifth NBA title with the Knicks, particularly considering the Eastern Conference’s seeming weakness due to the recent injury wave.

“The Lakers must choose a direction and develop a clear strategy. It hasn’t worked out to have one foot in and one foot out. In an article titled “NBA Mock Trade: Lakers Deal LeBron James To Knicks For OG Anunoby-Josh Hart Package,” published on August 7, 2025, Morales-Smith provided details. Hart and Anunoby are good complementing players, and they would obviously receive a first-round choice if the decision is made to cut James and assemble a long-term club around (Luka) Doncic.

“Hart is the league’s top rebounding guard who contributes on both ends of the ball, and Anunoby is a reliable forward who might go out and give you 20-5-3 for a season.”

In a trade with the Knicks, would the Lakers be willing to take on huge contracts?
There has been increasing speculation that James won’t be re-signed by the Lakers in 2026. Los Angeles would receive something in exchange for the star if James were traded, but King James would also have to approve the transaction.

Los Angeles would also be committing to two large contracts, which would limit their future cap room, even though the Lakers would receive some significant assets in exchange. Anunoby is scheduled to have four seasons left on a five-year, $212.5 million contract. He was a member of the Toronto Raptors team that won the NBA title in 2019.